First Responders Children's Foundation Announces Jon Stewart as Host and Master of Ceremonies for National First Responders Day

Annual event, presented by SERVPRO, honors first responders nationwide across all disciplines

NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF), a national nonprofit dedicated to serving the children and families of first responders, today announced tireless first responder champion, late-night talk show host and comedian Jon Stewart as host and master of ceremonies for the Foundation's fifth annual National First Responders Day ceremony, presented by SERVPRO, live from Times Square on Tuesday, October 28.

The National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes ceremony recognizes the heroic efforts of firefighting, emergency medical service, 911 dispatch, local and federal law enforcement, and volunteer first responders from across the United States. New this year, the ceremony will recognize first responders who collectively battled the Los Angeles area wildfires.

"First Responders Children's Foundation is proud to shine a spotlight on all of these heroes from across the country on a world stage," said Jillian Crane, FRCF President & CEO. "FRCF is so thrilled to have Mr. Stewart lead our 2025 National First Responders Day and Roll Call of Heroes ceremony. His advocacy for first responders, especially those battling 9/11-related illnesses, makes him the perfect host for one of our signature events."

Jon Stewart has been a steadfast champion for the first responder community, using his voice and platform to fight for those who risk their lives for others. For years, he has led the charge for 9/11 responders—testifying before Congress in 2019 with an impassioned plea that helped secure permanent funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Beyond Capitol Hill, Stewart has consistently shown up for the first responder community: visiting firehouses, honoring fallen heroes, and lending his support to the families they have left behind. His relentless advocacy and genuine connection to those who serve make him an ideal host for celebrating our nation's first responders.

"It's an honor to stand side-by-side with the very heroes who keep us safe every day. First responders answer chaos with courage and compassion," said Jon Stewart. "If lending my voice helps amplify that, I'm in. I want to thank the First Responders Children's Foundation for giving these heroes a stage worthy of the work they do, and I'm excited to recognize their achievements."

The 2025 National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes will honor:

Communications (911 Dispatch): Kayla Gillette Patten
Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville, FL

• On March 16, 2025, Kayla Gillette Patten was the lead dispatcher during a mental health crisis where a suspect fired multiple rounds from his apartment. She was able to coordinate around numerous 911 calls to organize the police response, staying on the line for hours and providing officers with real-time information until the suspect surrendered.

Fire: Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Jarzab
Twinsburg Fire Dept., Twinsburg, OH

• On August 17, 2025, Josh Jarzab and his department responded to a basement fire at a home, learning on the way to the scene that a baby was trapped inside. Jarzab located the 8-month-old, kept him from inhaling smoke and saved his life.

Local Law Enforcement: Officer Cameron Price
Lee's Summit Police Department, Lee's Summit, MO

• On May 15, 2025, Officer Price responded alone to a home that had been broken into. Inside, he found the suspect assaulting a woman with her two small children nearby. Officer Price fought the suspect off and took him into custody.

Federal Law Enforcement: Group Supervisor Jason Franks
Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division

• In 2025, Group Supervisor Franks oversaw multiple large-scale drug seizures, including more than 3,000 kilos of cocaine. He also coordinated the extraditions of multiple drug cartel leaders.

Volunteer Fire: Firefighter Dusty Block
Mountain Home Volunteer Fire Dept., Mountain Home, TX

• On July 4, 2025, Dusty Block and his volunteer fire crew arrived on scene in Texas Hill Country to conduct flood rescues at homes and camps. By the time the day was done, Block had helped save 30 people and rendered aid to at least 150 more.

Junior First Responder: Firefighter Jiya Jadhav
New Hyde Park Fire Dept., New Hyde Park, NY

• On March 18, 2025, Jiya Jadhav was named 2025 National Junior Firefighter of the Year by the National Volunteer Fire Council. She serves as first lieutenant for the Hyde Park Junior Fire Department.

Emergency Medical Services: To be announced at a later date

New York City Community Heroes:

FDNY: Firefighter Nick Schneider
Fire Dept. of the City of New York, New York, NY

• On January 2nd, 2025, while off duty, Nick Schneider saved a woman lying unresponsive on subway tracks near Central Park. After lifting her safely on the platform, he managed to pull himself up just seconds before an oncoming train arrived.

NYPD: Officer Rich Wong
New York City Police Dept., New York, NY

• On November 19, 2024, Officer Rich Wong was trying to apprehend an armed robbery and shooting suspect when he was shot in the leg. Returning fire, Officer Wong neutralized the suspect.

MTA PD: Officers Scott Gulick & Christopher Capozzoli
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Dept., New York, NY

• On March 27, 2025, Officers Gulick and Capozzoli stopped a fight on a train platform, disarming a man holding a nine-inch knife, and saving the life of a victim who had been stabbed multiple times. The officers took the suspect into custody.

First Responders Children's Foundation with SERVPRO is proud to present a special honor for Natural Disaster Response for the collective efforts of the inter-agency response during the Los Angeles wildfires. A group of individuals will represent the entire community after being nominated by their superiors:

• Officer Jonathan Tom, Los Angeles Police Dept.
• Fire Captain Joshua Swaney, County of Los Angeles Fire Dept.
• Chief Deputy of Administrative Operations Joseph Everett, Los Angeles Fire Dept.
• Commander Jabari Williams, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.

"As a firefighter and a parent, I've seen firsthand how deeply families serve alongside our heroes," said Lt. Joe LaPointe, retired Head of the FDNY Ceremonial Unit. "The First Responders Children's Foundation stands with those families, and its annual National First Responders Day ceremony honors the service and sacrifice of our heroes and the loved ones who support them. I've had the privilege of being part of this event since it began, and having someone like Jon Stewart—a longtime advocate for first responders—share a message of gratitude only makes the moment more meaningful."

The FRCF National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes will be held Tuesday, October 28th, in the heart of Times Square at Duffy Square at 11 a.m. EST. In addition to our presenting partner, SERVPRO, we have generous support from T-Mobile, Holland & Knight, and Devon Energy.

It's free to attend and open to the public. The ceremony can be livestreamed here.

Event: FRCF National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. EST
Location: Times Square/Duffy Square
Livestream: https://1strcf.org/sound-the-siren/

ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION: First Responders Children's Foundation is a national foundation that provides programs and resources that address the specific needs of first responders and their families. The Foundation focuses on five key areas: Scholarships, Financial Assistance Grants, a Mental Health Resilience Program, Natural Disaster Relief and Community Engagement. The Foundation was founded 24 years ago in response to 9/11 when 800 children lost a first responder parent. Additional information about FRCF can be found at www.1stRCF.org and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @1strcf

ABOUT SERVPRO®: For more than 55 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 2,300 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to help make it "Like it never even happened." 

CONTACT:
Joshua Natoli
[email protected]
845-332-7933

SOURCE First Responders Children's Foundation